Wild conditions and a vicious shore break at Maroubra tested Australia’s elite ironmen and ironwomen in round five of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series, with a captivating generational battle emerging at the top of the leaderboard.
Read: Powerful Surf Re‑Exposes Hereward Shipwreck off Maroubra Beach
The local beach’s washing machine-like surf proved the perfect testing ground for 19-year-old rising star Ethan Callaghan to claim his second series win of the season, drawing level with his childhood hero Ali Day on 112 points with just two rounds remaining.
For Day, the 10-time Coolangatta Gold champion who retired from that prestigious event after his October victory, Maroubra delivered a setback to his hopes of claiming another professional series title. The ironman great could only manage fifth place as Callaghan led from the front in treacherous conditions.
The weekend’s racing at Maroubra showcased both the skill and endurance required in surf lifesaving competition. Competitors found themselves in battles of survival as waves swallowed athletes, equipment soared through the air, and the vicious shore break tested even the most experienced campaigners.
Conditions were brutal, according to 21-year-old Callum Brennan, who won Saturday’s round four and sits third overall on 107 points, just five behind the leaders. The young gun from Currumbin described the racing as hectic as competitors battled the elements.
For Callaghan, the Burleigh Heads ironman whose father Travis competed in the Uncle Toby’s series in the early 2000s, the Maroubra triumph was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. The teenager admitted to significant anxiety heading into the ski leg, where he remains the least experienced paddler in the professional field. Despite his concerns about the challenging surf, Callaghan acknowledged he’s still learning but was pleased with how the race unfolded.
He beat Burleigh clubmate Joel Piper and Northcliffe’s Zach Morris for a Queensland sweep of the podium on Sunday.
The significance of Callaghan’s performance extends beyond the points table. Just a season ago, he was a Next Gen competitor who had won a spot in his first professional field alongside the man he’d idolised growing up. Now he’s threatening to deny Day another series crown.
Callaghan has previously spoken about his admiration for Day, citing the resilience and toughness the champion showed in coming back from potentially career-ending injuries to return to the top of the game and establish himself as one of the greatest ironmen of all time. Those same qualities of mental fortitude and determination will be crucial as the teenager seeks to maintain his momentum heading into the final rounds.
The women’s competition delivered its own breakthrough moment at Maroubra, with Burleigh’s Lily O’Sullivan claiming her maiden round win despite being confined to bed with illness in the days before competition. O’Sullivan defeated Newport’s Lizzie Welborn and Northcliffe’s Emily Doyle, moving into 10th place overall.
In the women’s overall standings, Lucy Derbyshire and Carla Papac share top spot on 114 points, with Tiarnee Massie third on 97 points.
The competitor said her illness may have worked in her favour, forcing her to race smartly rather than rely on superior fitness in the challenging surf conditions. O’Sullivan described the victory as the fulfilment of a dream she’d held since she was about five years old, having spent the past five years in the series watching other competitors before finally claiming her first win. She expressed immense pride in the achievement.
The weekend’s competition at Maroubra also carried deeper significance for the surf lifesaving community. Newport’s Charlie Verco, who finished second in Saturday’s ironman, spoke about the resilience shown by local clubs in the wake of the Bondi tragedy in December.
Verco, who happened to be at Bondi on the night of the shooting attack, described the experience as frightening. He reflected on how the incident dramatically changed the beachside community in the following weeks, with crowds dropping from tens of thousands to almost nothing as Bondi became a ghost town patrolled by police officers. However, he noted the beach has bounced back quickly with strong community support.
The Sydney surf lifesaver praised the volunteer lifesavers who opened their clubs and rushed to help those injured and affected by the shooting attack. He emphasised that these volunteers, who typically deal with swimming and surf-related emergencies, showed remarkable bravery by putting their lives on the line in circumstances they were never prepared for. The tragedy, Verco suggested, highlighted the dedication and courage within the surf lifesaving movement.
Read: Maroubra Coastal Foraging Walk Listed in Ocean Lovers Festival 2026
As the series heads to the Gold Coast for its final two rounds on January 31 and February 1, the battle lines are drawn. Callaghan and Day remain locked together at the top, with young gun Brennan lurking just behind.
Published 13-January-2026
